Tone issue

eatingmonsterrs · #1 03-10-2011, 08:37 PM

Hey guys, I recently bought an Acoustic B200H 200w head and a B115 250w cab. I am really satisfied with the tone I get when I'm practicing by myself but jamming with guitars and drums, they completely drown my bass. All I get is the roaring feel of the lows, which is great (and logical, since it is a single 15' speaker), but I want my mids and highs to cut through. Would buying a 4x10 cab solve my issue?

Or is it a wattage problem?

ezstep · #2 03-10-2011, 09:53 PM

Okay, two comments: take 'em or leave 'em - won't hurt my feelings.

1st. Borrow a wireless unit or a long instrument cable and get as far out front of the band as you can...40' or more if possible. Your bass will sound completely different out front than it will standing three feet from it onstage. You might like the tone.

2nd. Yes, 4x10's GENERALLY will have more clarity than a 1x15. GENERALLY. Not always. I can name specific 4x10's that are horrible, and I can name specific 1x15's that are wonderful.

Best bet: Use your ears. Borrow a 4x10 or 2x10 from someone and put it in your stack (check the overall ohms). See if you like the difference. Borrow the same wireless unit or long cable and listen onstage and out front again.

No one around here carries Acoustic, so I cannot comment on them specifically.

eatingmonsterrs · #3 03-10-2011, 10:02 PM

I don't know if being too close to the amps is it... I'm going for a sharp, easily audible tone but I don't get that against a 120w guitar combo amp and a really loud drummer.

Speaking of 4x10's, which would you recommend? I'm on a budget but I do want quality speakers.

Mikhail1 · #4 03-10-2011, 10:07 PM

I agree with ezstep, get away from the amp, you might like what you hear. And I offer a third option, buy another 1x15. What you are currently getting is about 130 watts, plus or minus, by only using your 1x15. Another 8 ohm 1x15 will give you the full 200 watts your head can produce. I know that 10's are very popular now and for good reason assuming decent equipment but there is something to be said about 2x15's, words like"creamy goodness"and "good thump" come to mind and used to be very popular. As long as you don't do much slap and pop stuff, I think you might like it.

prd004 · #5 03-10-2011, 10:11 PM

Good advice, I would add:

Work on you EQ settings in the band sutuation! Liking your tone when you practice at home is nice but as you are learning, it doesn't always translate.

Mikhail1 · #6 03-10-2011, 10:13 PM

The Acoustic 4x10 is not bad. The Ampeg 4x10 is better but really, you need to listen to whatever you're interested in. I would not buy sight unseen. Ears are subjective things, something I may like, you might not and vice versa. Buy used if you can. Check craigslist, you may get lucky. Lots of broke musicians selling stuff off, sorry to say...

craig.p · #7 03-11-2011, 05:04 AM

As a first step, I'd pull that fifteen and check whether there's any bracing or sound-absorbing material inside the cab.

**JxBass** · #8 03-11-2011, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prd004

Good advice, I would add:

Work on you EQ settings in the band sutuation! Liking your tone when you practice at home is nice but as you are learning, it doesn't always translate.

My thoughts as well. Could be too much Smiley Face

versus Frown Face

EQ.

is great at home,

is great in mix

Steveaux · #9 03-11-2011, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eatingmonsterrs

I don't know if being too close to the amps is it... I'm going for a sharp, easily audible tone but I don't get that against a 120w guitar combo amp and a really loud drummer.

Speaking of 4x10's, which would you recommend? I'm on a budget but I do want quality speakers.

If he's turning that amp up, you simply don't have enough speaker area to compete. You're getting buried.

mikell128 · #10 03-11-2011, 04:00 PM

I agree about Smiley Face vs Frowny Face EQ. While the smiley face may sound great at home by yourself, mids are what cut through in a band situation. Also on axis vs off axis can give much different sounds on most cabs. I have a few cabs one of which is very mid rangey and while maybe it doesn't sound as good as the others by itself at home, it does sound great in the mix when I play (4 piece rock band)

eatingmonsterrs · #11 03-11-2011, 04:40 PM

Yeah, while I don't particularly like the percussive, trebbly sound of my mid EQ, it does give it a more audible tone.

I was thinking of buying GK 4x10 400w @ 8ohms. I play 70s and early 80s punk, thrash, and heavy metal and there aren't any important music stores around where I live. Can anyone tell me if GK's support this style?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steveaux

If he's turning that amp up, you simply don't have enough speaker area to compete. You're getting buried.

I know that. But what you're trying to say is, would it still drown me even if I upgraded to a full stack?

Mikhail1 · #12 03-11-2011, 05:00 PM

No I think if you had a "full stack" you wouldn't be drowned out. I've seen these amps set up at GC with a 1x15 on bottom and a 4x10 on top. Sounded ok to me but you'll have people on here much more knowledgable than me say that is not efficient, that what your really hearing in one cab over the other. All I know is this, a good quality 2x15 will sound really good, a good 4 ohm 4x10 can sound awesome. Either allows you to take advantage of all the power your head can deliver. Years ago, a good rule of thumb is the bassist needed almost double the watts of the guitar amps to be heard. About G&K, the high quality stuff sounds good, the GoldLine, not so good. Hope this helps.

ezstep · #13 03-11-2011, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikell128

I agree about Smiley Face vs Frowny Face EQ. While the smiley face may sound great at home by yourself, mids are what cut through in a band situation....

Lots of bassists cut the mids...then complain that they are not cutting through the mix. Well, let's review. YOU CUT THE MIDS!!!

What sounds awfully muddy at 5 feet may sound completely different at 40 ft. Get a friend to play your bass and you go listen. Tell him how to set what you want while you are 40 ft away.

Also, the second 1x15...nice idea. 2x15's are pretty good.

Budget? Peavey. But, try them first. Listen to them. If they don't sing to you, pass.

Inconnu · #14 03-11-2011, 10:47 PM

Try putting your amp higher then on the floor (a very solid table perhaps, or whatever). The speaker will be closer to you ears and you might hear more definition in your sound. Do a test, try playing standing next to your amp, then play sitting on the floor in front of it... whole other tone.

vincenzomauer88 · #15 03-11-2011, 11:04 PM

I have the same bass head I use from time to time, cuts thorugh just fine. What are your settings? Also what bass are you using and does it have EQ?

I use a frown face EQ style. Boosting mostly around 100-300 Hz. Low mids are key for presence and clarity. The low bass 40-60 gets and umph but not presence to the notes. Also the frequency knob is very important. I set my a at either 10 or 2 o clock whichever is on the bass side. I also turn the horn off and roll 5k off completely and 2k below 9 o clock. 800Hz is as much treble as I need on my rig. Anything higher clashes with guitar frequencies too much to care. If you want more treble content get it out of the bass or even a pedal.